Patil asks Orissa CM to take effective action to check violence

Published: Friday, October 3, 2008, 20:06 [IST]

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New Delhi, Oct 3 (UNI) Criticising the Orissa Government for not utilising the Central paramilitary forces properly, Home Minister Shivraj Patil today asked Chief Minister Navin Patnaik to take effective measures to control the violent and disruptive activities in the state.

In a letter to the Chief Minister, Mr Patil mentioned how after every incident of violence against the minorities, the Home Ministry had been making available additional Central forces, which continued to remain in the state without being properly utilised to curb the violence.

Moreover, the MI-17 helicopter provided by the Home Ministry to the Orissa Government was used only for recce purposes and not for transportation of troops. Out of the five India Reserve Battalions sanctioned for Orissa, only one has been raised so far, the Home Minister pointed out.

He asked the Chief Minister to review the situation and take effective measures to control violent and disruptive activities and also to ensure that the substantial Central forces made available to the State were optimally utilised.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, meanwhile, said he is concerned about the unending communal violence in Orissa. The Cabinet would now have a special meeting on the Orissa violence, as it wants an action plan and proper intervention.

Rashtriya Janata Dal chief and Railway Minister Lalu Prasad has demanded President's rule in Orissa. The RJD leader said that the state government had failed in protecting the citizens and attacks on the minorities were continuing. Since the government had been unable to control the situation there, Article 355 should be used, he added.

The violence began in Kandhmal two months ago after a Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader was killed there. The murder led to attacks on the minority community in the state and spread beyond Kandhmal.

The violent attacks against the minorities had left scores dead and many injured.